Abraham Scores In 93rd Minute As Villa Beat Sunderland In 7-goal Thriller

Tammy Abraham scored a 93rd-minute winner to help Aston Villa boost their Champions League qualification hopes with a thrilling 4-3 win over Sunderland.

Villa were about to lose ground in the top-five race having had a 3-1 lead wiped out in 58 seconds just before the 90th minute.

But Abraham got on to the end of fellow substitute Lucas Digne’s low curling cross and deflected the ball into the net off his shin.

The result meant Villa remained fourth in the Premier League table and stretched their lead over sixth-placed Chelsea to 10 points with just 15 left to play for.

Ollie Watkins had needed just two minutes to open the scoring for the hosts when he headed in John McGinn’s cross from close range at the back post, although Sunderland soon equalised through teenager Chris Rigg’s curling effort into the far corner.

Watkins restored Villa’s lead with another header, this time converting Ian Maatsen’s cutback in the 36th minute.

And just after the restart the 30-year-old played in Morgan Rogers, who easily beat Sunderland keeper Robin Roefs with a low finish.

Villa seemed to be cruising towards a trouble-free win but Jadon Sancho gave the ball away to Trai Hume, who curled in a strike from a tight angle in the 86th minute.

Sancho then gave the ball away again allowing Wilson Isidor to go clean through and get Sunderland back level with a low finish.

The visitors even had the chance to win it seconds before Abraham’s goal when Habib Diarra had a one-on-one chance saved by Villa keeper Emiliano Martinez, while team-mate Chemsdine Talbi would have had an open goal if he had passed.

Villa need just six more points to ensure Champions League qualification, with Premier League games against Fulham, Tottenham, Burnley, Liverpool and Manchester City still to come.